CSF levels of carnitine in children with meningitis, neurologic disorders, acute gastroenteritis, and seizure.

Carnitine concentrations in CSF, serum, and urine in normal febrile children and children with meningitis, neurologic disorders, and dehydration were studied. Carnitine levels in CSF were 1/10 compared with serum in normal febrile children. These levels increased two- to three-fold in the pathologic conditions studied. Since damage to the blood-brain barrier occurs in these conditions, higher blood-brain barrier permeability might explain CNS carnitine accumulation.